For elite athletes, an inguinal hernia can have a significant impact on performance and requires careful management, according to doctors following reports of Neeraj Chopra suffering from a long-standing inguinal or groyne hernia.
An inguinal hernia occurs when abdominal organs, such as the omentum or intestines, bulge through the natural openings in the abdominal wall where testicular vessels and cord structures pass to the testes.
Neeraj Chopra, India’s top track and field athlete, won a Silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. However, his performance in the men’s javelin final was reportedly affected by this condition, as he finished behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem.
The 26-year-old javelin star revealed to the media that he has been dealing with this condition for a long time, achieving a personal best throw of 89.94m in 2022 despite the injury.
- Advertisement -
“Almost 50 per cent” of his focus has been on managing his injury rather than his technique, Chopra said, adding that it is now time for proper treatment, as advised by doctors.
Dr. Sushruth Shetty, Consultant Gastroenterology, GI Onco and Robotic Surgery at Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, explained that inguinal hernias occur when intra-abdominal contents like the intestines protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, typically in the groyne area. This condition is common among athletes like Chopra due to the high physical demands of their sport, which increase intra-abdominal pressure.
Inguinal hernias can cause discomfort, pain, or a visible bulge in the groyne, especially during activities like lifting, coughing, or exercising.
Dr. Sandeep Aggarwal, Chairman of the Manipal Institute of Minimal Access, Bariatric, GI & Robotic Surgery at Manipal Hospital Dwarka, noted that inguinal hernias result from the weakening and stretching of natural openings in the groyne region layers. This condition is more common in men and its prevalence increases with age. Factors that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as chronic constipation, cough, or straining during micturition, can contribute to the development of an inguinal hernia.
Experts said treatment usually involves surgical repair to prevent complications like intestinal obstruction or strangulation, which can cut off blood supply and lead to a life-threatening surgical emergency.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopy or robotics, result in less pain and quicker recovery. Dr. Shetty emphasized that a well-structured rehabilitation program is also essential for a full recovery, allowing patients, especially athletes, to return to peak performance while minimizing the risk of recurrence.
